Drug dealer jailed after ‘grinning and chuckling’ at arrest

A 21-year-old drug dealer who “grinned and chuckled” when arrested has been jailed after being caught trafficking cocaine for the third time.

Toby Chadwick, described as the “intelligent” son of senior civil servants, has spent the last two years in and out of custody after becoming involved in the drugs trade.

His latest offence took place in Monmouthshire this summer when he was caught with cocaine and ketamine which had a potential street value of more than £3,000.

Hannah Friedman, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court: “When the defendant was arrested by the police on July 22, he grinned and chuckled.”

When officers raided his Undy home, they found a lock knife, air pistols and a mobile phone containing incriminating evidence against him. Detectives found drug-related messages in which Chadwick was advertising his merchandise for sale.

The price of 1.75g of cocaine was £100 and he was offering drugs on credit after officers came across a tick list of debtors. He gave a no comment interview.

The defendant pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a class A drug and possession with intent to supply a class B drug. He also admitted possession of cannabis.

These offences were committed not long after he had been released from a 40-month custodial sentence for similar matters committed in Newport.

Cat Jones, representing him, said her client was an “intelligent” young man who had potential. He had previously worked at the David Broome Event Centre, the home of the Olympic medallist and world champion show jumper, in Crick, near Caldicot.

Judge Shomon Khan told Chadwick: “You played a significant role as a street dealer and were selling directly to users. Your previous convictions for similar matters are a significant aggravating feature of this case.”

The defendant was jailed for four years and told he would serve half of that sentence before being released on licence. His time spent remanded in custody would count towards that term of imprisonment. Chadwick will have to pay a statutory victim surcharge.